Press for the manufacture of and undercutting tiles, bricks, &amp;c.



Patented Mar. 12, I90l.

No. 669,9l-3.

T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AND UNDERCUTTING TILES, BRICKS,81.0.

- (Application filed Apr. 19. 1898.\ (In Iudol.) l2 Sheets-$heet l.

No. 669,913. Patented Mar. 12 mm T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OFAND'UNDERCUTTING TILES, BRICKS, 8L0.

(Application filed Apr. 19. 1898.] (No Model.) l2 Shouts-Sheet 2.

aw .V 2

No. 669,9l3. Patented Mar. l2, l90l.

T. DALTON. PRESS F08 THE MANUFACTURE OF AND UNDEBCUTTING TILES,.BBICKSQML (Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.) No Model.) l2 Sheets-Sheet3.-

Patented Ma r. I2, I90Lc 7 No. 669,9l3.

T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AND UNDERCUTTING TILES,BRIGKSQM.

(Applicn'tion filed Apr. 19, was.)

' I2 sheets-sheet 4.

(N0 Model.)

' jive/Z3974 v Ta/raaSzfirZfi/v K QY TZQ Patented Mar. 12, 1901.

T.,DAL TON. 4 PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE BRAND UNDERCUTTING TILES,BRICKS, 8w.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.)

I2 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

No. 669,9l3. Patented Mar. 12, rem.

T. DALTON. l

PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0 AND unnncunme mes, BRICKS, &c.

(Application filed Apr 19. 1898.\

(No Model.) l2 Shaets-Sheet 8.

l lhh I "III I W m ga W A m Patented Mar. l2, 190i.

T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AND UNDERCUTTING TI LES, BRICKS,8L0.

, (Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.) .(No Model.) I2 Sheeis8heet 7.

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I'll 5 u Mu l eelllraz waye rlnwruz No. 669,9I3.

Patentd mar. 12, 1am. T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ANDUNDERGUTTING TILES, BRICKS, 8L0.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898-] (No ll'odel.) l2 Sheets-Sheet 8.

THE Noam vcrzns cu. PHOYO-LITHO., wAsuwaToN, n c.

No. 669,9l3.

' Patented Mar. I2, I901. T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ANDUNDERCUTTING TILE S, BRICKS, 8L0.

(Application filed Apr. 9, 18 (No Model. l2 Sheets-Sheet 9'.

3 mm wnxm MSQFE. zorromn @411 m: uonms PETERS 20,. PNOlO-LITNQ,wAsHmsToN. q 1:.

No. 669,9l3'. Patented Mar. l2, IQDI.

T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF'AND UNDERCUTTING TILES, BRICKS.&c.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.)

' l2 ShcetsSheet 10.

(No Model.)

No. 669,913. Patented Mar. l2, 19m. T. mum.-

PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AND UNDERCUTTING TILES, BRICKS, &C.

(Application filed Apr. 19. 1898.) (No Model.) 12 Sheets-Sheet ll.

Patented Mar. I2, [901".

T. DALTON. PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AND UNDERCUTTING T| LES, BRICKS,81.0.

(Applinaticn filed Apr. 19. 1898.}

(No Modem.

l2 Sheets-Sheet l2.

Wifzewem the undercut back of the same tile.

Fries.

WATENT.

' THOMAS DALTON, OF LEEDS, ENGLAND.

PRESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AND UNDERCUTTING TILES, BRICKS, &c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,913, dated March 12, 1901;

Application filed April 19. 1898. Serial No. 678.181. (No model.)

To all whom it 712mg concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS DALTON, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing in the city of Leeds, England, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Presses for the Manufacture of andUndercutting Tiles, Bricks, and other Articles, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates more particularly to presses for the manufactureof tiles for walls, ceilings, and floors; but it is also applicable tomachines for the production of bricks and other articles which it isdesired to bind together or affix to some other surface by meansofceinent,plaster,orotherlikesubstance. Its object is to produce duringthe operation of pressing an undercut in the back of a tile or in thefixing-surface of any other article into which the cement, plaster, orother substance used for fixing may enter and whereby the tile or otherarticle may be keyed to its bed instead of being held by cohesion alone.

My invention was designed more especially for use in the top plunger ordie of a tile ora brick press; but it is also applicable to the bottomplunger or die. There is, however, or at least there may be, a slightdifference in the apparatus, according to whether it is to be used inthe top or bottom, which diiference will be hereinafter described. Myoperating mechanism, consisting, essentially, of a hollow plunger with acentral rod or spindle mounted on a spiral spring, may be used in manydifferent forms of head or die, and I therefore prefer-in thisspecification to speak of the head or die as a distinct part of theplunger, whether top or bottom.

In thedrawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 representsin front elevation that part of a press for making tiles which standsabove the table, showing one form of myimproved apparatus attached tothe pressing-screw and drawn in full lines, the other parts being shownin chained dot. Fig. 1 is a vertical section of one form of undercut inthe back of a tile as made by that form of my apparatus shown in Figs. 2we or in Figs.

22, 25, 28, and 87. Fig. 1 is a plan view of Fig. 1 is a verticalsection of another form of undercut in the back of a tile made by thatmodifitical section of the center wedge.

cation of my apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 5 to 9. Fig. 1 is aplan of the undercut back of the same tile as referred toin Fig. 1 Fig.2 is a vertical section showing what I term the ring form of apparatus.is a similar sectional view of the same, the section-plane being at aright angle to thatin Fig. 1 and showing the head or die in halfsectionsupon the lines K L and M N in Fig. 2. Fig. Ais a plan view of the top ofthe head. Fig. is a vertical section showing what 1 term the sleeve formof apparatus. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the central iod. Fig. 7 is abottom plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a view of the rear face of oneof the undercuttingwedges. Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the head ordie shownin Fig. 5. Figs. 10and 11 are vertical sections showing otherforms of heads or dies capable of use with the apparatus shown in Fig.5. Fig. 12 is a vertical section of my apparatus applied asa bottom die,showing the innersliding piece supported on a spring. Fig. 13 is ahorizontal section on the line A B in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a verticalsection of the apparatus constructed for a bottom die without sleeve.Fig. 15 is a plan view of the disk, showing the segmental slots andspigot. Fig. 16 is a vertical section showinga form of apparatus usedwith a compound crosshead. Figs. 16 and 16 are respectively a front andend elevation of the cross-head. Fig. 16 is a plan view of the same.Fig. 16 is a section of the center Wedge, showing attachment to hollowspindle. Figs. 16 and 16 are respectively a side elevation and ver- Fig.16 is a side elevation of one of the side wedges. Fig. 16 is anelevation of the same, the line of view being at a right angle to thatin Fig. 16 Fig. 17 is a horizontal section on the line A B in Fig. 16,the center wedge being removed. Fig. 18 is a plan view showing theundercut. Fig. 19 is a vertical section of a split head made in halvesand applied as a top die. Fig. 20 is a vertical section showing a splithead made in halves and applied to a lower die. Fig. 21 is a sideelevation of the head shown in Fig. 20. Fig. 22 isa vertical sectionshowing a modified construction. Fig. 23 is a half-plan view showing theform of undercut. Fig. 24 is a half-section upon the line A B in Fig.22. Fig. 25 is a vertical Fig. 3

section showing a head-spindle and undercutters of modifiedconstruction. Fig. is a plan view of the head. Fig. 26 is a plan of oneof the undercutters. Fig. 27 is an elevation of one of the standardsshown in Fig. 25. Fig. 28 is a vertical section showing a modified formof head. Fig. 29 is a rear elevation of one of the nndercutters shown inFig. 28. Figs. 30 and 31 are respectively an elevation and verticalsection of one of the push-pieces shown in Fig. 28. Fig. 32 is avertical section showing a head or die equivalent to that shown in Fig.22. Fig. 33 is a plan view of thetop of the central rod as used in Fig.32 looking down upon it. Figs. 34, 35, and 36 are other forms of head ordie adapted to be mounted and operated as shown in Fig. 14:. Fig. 37 isa vertical section showing a further modification in the head or die.Figs. 38 and 39 are alternative forms of checkspring adapted to a heador die which is constructed and mounted as shown in Fig. 2. Figs. 40 and4.1 are views showing alternative forms of check-spring.

The reference-letter A in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of said drawings indicates atop plunger made to slide verticallyin the usual way suspended from aring a, formed on or attached to the pressing-screw in any desired wayby means of a neck 0. The plunger is formed with a cavity in the center.

I) is a nut screwed into the open end of the ring a, so as to form aflange thereon.

The neck 0 consists of a short hollow spindle formed with a collar orshoulder a at its upper end, so as to be retained within the ring bymeans of the not b, and its lower end is screwed into the plunger A. Theneck is elongated, so as to permit a certain amount of free verticalmotion within the ring.

Through the top of the spindle c or collar 0 and over the center of thecavity a hole is bored for the purpose hereinafter mentioned. In thecenter of the cavity is a rod or spindle d, the upper end of whichpasses through the aforesaid hole. This central rod or spindle isprovided at its upper end with a fixed collar e pinned thereon and issupported by a spiral spring f, both within the cavity. The length ofthe rod or spindle is such that when the press is at restthat is to say,when the plunger is liftedit stands slightly above the top of'theplunger. The bottom d of the rod or spindle projects below the bottom ofthe plunger and into the attached head or die H for the purpose ofoperating undercutters fitted thereinand is shaped according to theparticular way the head may be fitted to give the undercut desired. Thehead or die may be fitted in various ways. According to the method hereshown, Figs. 2and 3, I usein suitable bearings at or near thepressing-face of the die two small cross-headed levers 4L 4. On the faceof each cross-head a tooth is formed, so that when the cross-head ispartially revolved the tooth is forced inward toward (or it may beoutward away from) the middle of the length of the tile-surface, and soforms an undercut.

g is the top of the head H, forming the top die, formed with a neck g,screwing into the plunger A, and attached to the other portion of thehead H by bolts 1 1.

H is a frame bolted to the top and a covering-plate 2 forms the face ofthe die.

3 3 are slots formed in the flattened end (1 of the central rod d anddesigned to produce an undercut inward-that is to say, toward the middleof the tile-surface.

4* represents trunnions or cross heads formed on the levers 4 and uponwhich they are rocked.

5 5 are the long arms of the cross-headed levers, projecting upward, and6 6 are studs mounted on the sides thereof and working into the slots 33.

7 7 are teeth or undercutting ridges formed across the face of thecross-heads and constituting the short arms of the levers. The teeth onthe face of the cross-heads, as also of every other form of under-cutterhereinafter described, may be either straight, curved, or hooked invertical cross-section.

The action of my apparatus as applied to the top plunger is as follows:When it is desired to press a tile, the pressing-screw first allows theplunger (and therewith the die) to drop to the level of the material tobe pressed and then forces down the center rod or spindle, and (whenthis is provided with slots, as above mentioned) the slots in the bottomacting on the studs on the levers 4 rock said levers and so cause theteeth thereon to turn inward (or outward, if so desired) away from aright angle. As the pressing-screw continues its motion it forces downthe whole plunger and the pressure forces the tile dust or clay aroundthe teeth on the cross-heads. When the pressure is released, the centerrod or spindle rises by means of the spiral spring, and thereby rocksthe levers backward, so that when the plunger is drawn up by thepressingscrew the teeth are clear of the undercut. 'lhe spiral springought not to have more strength than is needed to withdraw the teethfrom the undercut without tearing, as there might be produced ahollow inthe face of the tile if this pressure were excessive.

A modified form of my apparatus as applied to a top die is shown inFigs. 5 to 5). Instead of the ring, as in the first case, apartially-hollow spindle may be used (hereinafter referred to as asleeve) of the full length and to take the place of the slide of aplunger of ordinary construction. It may be of square, circular, orother approved section, having a cavity at the top into which isinserted a split collar for receiving and retaining the end of thepressing-screw, and instead of a slide with a neck at the top, as in thefirst case,

an inner hollow spindle or sliding piece is used provided with a collarsome distance away from the end for lifting purposes. The head is fittedwith wedges instead of crossheaded levers for producing the undercut anda face-plate is not needed. 72 is the sleeve (an alternative of a merering) attached to the pressing-screw Q by a split collar at 7, and It isa retaining-nut screwed into the sleeve. 1 is an inner slide formed witha cavity in the center, the alternative of the plunger when used withoutthe sleeve, the part 1 of which represents the neck when my appa ratusis used without the sleeve, and Z represents the collar or shoulder inthe like case. q is a steadying-pin screwed into the sleeve, with itspoint projecting into a vertical slot cut in the side of the slidingpiece Z to prevent twisting. mis the center rod or spindle with a collarn pinned thereon, and 0 is the spiral spring. 1) is the top of the headH, forming the top die formed with a neck p, screwing into the innerslide Z. d is the bottom end (in this case formed in the shape of awedge) of the central rod descending into the head H for the purpose ofoperating the undercutters fitted therein. The top 19 is attached to theother portion of the head H by bolts, as shown. H consists of a squareframe, as before. 8 8 are wedges, each provided with a projecting ledgeor tooth 8, at the bottom and extending over a part of the bottomsurface of the die. The wedges 8 8 are mounted and slide freely on pins9 9, screwed into the sides of the head H, and are kept in contact withthe wedge 01 by spiral springs 10 10, also mounted on the pins 9 9. Theaction of this form of head is as follows: The descent ofthe central rodforces the wedges 8 8 apart to form the undercut, and when it risesagain the springs 10 10 force them back again, so as to clear theundercut. 11 11 are escapeholes.

Instead of either cross-headed levers or rocking levers or slidingblades the head or die may be formed in halves with the line ofseparation vertical between them, (see Fig. 19,) each furnished with atooth or undercutting ledge and operated by a similar mechanism to thatbefore described; but I do not advocate this method, for among otherreasons when this latter alternative method is used with a top plungerit is necessary that the tile-bed or bottom die should rise concurrentlywith the lifting of the top die to em able the sections of the top dieto fall apart without tearing the undercut, and that a check-spring bealso used to enable and insure the closing up of the two halves of thehead before reaching the surface of the tile material. (See Figs. 40 and41.) With such a head or die as last described the undercut must beinward; but the undercut may be turned outward by the use of the bottomof the central rod as a wedge between the other parts of the head, thusmaking the head or die in three sections, as seen in Fig. 16, and theparts may he so arranged that it shall not be necessary to lift thebottom die concurrently with the top one. I prefer to make the head ordie with an outer frame inclosing the movable parts, as shown in Figs. 5to 9 of the drawings.

My apparatus as used for the top die may be inverted and used for thebottom die; but inasmuch as the motion must in either case proceed fromthe pressing-screw the relative motions of the head or die and thecentral rod will be reversed, so that the die will descend onto the rodwhen pressure is applied and will-lift off the rod when the pressure isreleased. I exhibit several forms of my apparatus as applied to thebottom die, as well as a method of assimilating to the bottom die theaction of the apparatus as used with a top die.

When the sleeve form of apparatus is used, (see Figs. 12 and 13,) a rimor collar must be constructed upon the upper end as a means ofsuspendingit from the table. The rim or collar may be enlarged to aplate the full size of the t-llG'bOX, if desired.

The thrust of the central rod is shown to be on the lower end of thesleeve. The spiral spring around the central rod will serve as a meansof suspending the die on the rod. A

second spiral spring may be introduced between the inner and outer slideto take the weight off the former and the attached head or die, thusleaving the central spring to operate the central rod only. The secondspring will also provide for the necessary play of the central rod; butI prefer to lift the head or die by positive thrust from below by meansof the ordinary lifting mechanism, and for this purpose I make the lowerend of the inner slide with divided ends passing through slots or holescut or formed in the lower end of the sleeve and projecting a sufficientdis tance to give the required amount of lift.

Referring to Fig. 12, q is the sleeve, formed with a flange r to suspendit from the table. 8 s are the slots cut in the bottom of the sleeve. 15is the bottom plate of the head ordie, formed with a neck screwing intothe inner sliding piece v, consisting of a partially-hollow spindlecontaining the central rod m, collar '11 thereon, and the spiral spring0, as in the case of the apparatus used with the top die. w w are thedivided ends of the inner hollow spindie or sliding piece o, madecapable of pass ing through the slots 5 s and project below them duringthe operation of pressing. a; is a bottom thrust-lifter as ordinarilyused. y is a spiral spring, the use of which is optional, supporting thesliding piece Q7. The rest of the ure is obvious. The action of thismethod is as follows: When the lifterw rises, it strikes the dividedends '10 w, thereby lifting the inner slide 2:. When this has beenpartially lifted, the lifter strikes upon the bottom of the sleeve (1and then the whole apparatus lifts together.

In Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown the form of apparatus without sleeve forthe bottom die. To take the thrust of the central rod, I provide acrossbar under the table, (intermediate between the table and thelifter,) made with a central boss A, into which is screwed a cylindricalbush B,with a flanged top for the purpose of providing an adjustablehearing for and so regulate the vertical travel of the central rod m. Onthe top of this there rests, in said Figs. 14 and 15, a stoppiece D,consisting of the disk D, with segmental slots D D and with a spigot Don the top- I make the end of the hollow spindle with suitableprojections E E, passing through the aforesaid segmental slots, so as tocome in contact with the lifter O. This is a method I have used in thepress I have employed; but I do not confine myself to this particularmethod. The action of this form of apparatus is as follows: When thelifter O rises, it strikes the projections E E, thereby lifting thehollow spindle Z, the central rod m remaining stationary until when thehollow spindle has partially lifted its bottom strikes upon lhe collar'27, on the bottom of the central rod m, and then the hollow spindle andthe central rod lift together.

Figs. 34:, 35, and 3b are other forms of head or die mounted on a hollowspindle and operated by a central rod and spiral spring, as shown inFigs. let and 15. Holding-down springs may be used, if desired.

Fig. 345 shows a head or die formed in three sections, an alternativeform to that shown in Fig. 16. The side wedges are shown in engagementwith the platep by means of hooks instead of steadying-pins, as in theother cases; but either method may be used. The central wedge 61 isoperated as in Fig. 12. The rest of the figure is obvious.

Fig. 35 shows two levers 51 rocking on ribs formed on the boX sides; butthey may be hinged thereto instead. The upper ends of the levers areprovided with teeth shaped to the radius of oscillation for the purposeof forming undercuts in the back of the tile or other article andsubsequently clearing out of the undercuts without tearing. The centralwedge is operated as in Fig. 14. The rest of the figure is obvious.

Fig. 36 shows a form of head or die with the top plate made with acentral part 2 as shown in Fig. 32. The head is mounted on a hollowspindle and operated by a central rod, as in Fig. 14:. 37 37 areunder-cutters somewhat similar in shape to those shown in Fig. 22 andare mounted in the head or die in the same manner; but they are designedto give an undercut outward. The rest of the figure is obvious.

The method of operating the central rod may be varied according to thedirection of the undercut desired, also according to the form ofundercutters to be used. For instance, when using a head or die formedin three sections the top of the central rod may be made cross-headed,(see Fig. 16,) with the arms of the cross-head made to pass through andslide vertically either within a bridge constructed in the middlesection of the die or within slots cut through the upper end of thehollow spindle, so as to transmit the motion of the central rod to theparts outside of those attached to and supported by the hollow spindle.In this case the cross-bar bearing below the table and the forked endsof the hollow spindle may be dispensed with and the central rod may restdirectly upon and be operated by the lifter. This may be the case alsowhen using a head or die fitted with rocking undercutters operated bythe methods described with reference to Fig. 22. The method of operatingthe central rod will also vary according to the method of liftingemployed-that is to say, whether it be a fork working into a collar onthe plunger or by means of a thrust from below. In some cases as, forinstance, in the case of a bottom die in three sectionsit is desirableto use a holding-down spring, (see Fig. 16,) which may be spiral outsidethe plunger, using the under side of the table-top as a buttress.

Referring to Figs. 16 to 18, F is the hollow spindle, formed in twoparts, the upper part F of which screws into the lower and is formed asshown in detail in vertical section, Fig. 16 and in plan in Fig. 17. Fis a flanged nut screwed into the bottom of the hollow spindle. in isthe central rod with collar 0% attached, and O is the spiral springoperating the central rod, as in other cases. J is a holding-down spring(shown in spiral form outside the hollow spindle) resting on the flangednut F and engaging the under side of the table-top W. 19 is a centralwedge (corresponding to the shaped rod end in previous figures) attachedto the part F by bolts, as shown. 20 20 are side wedges mounted andoscillating on pins 21, supported by the outer ends of the cross-head23, with their lower ends resting on the tabletop W to take the weightof the thrust. 22 22 are trip projections formed on the side wedges. 23is the cross-head, integral with the central rod and shown in detail inFigs. 16", 16 and 16 The action is as follows: When the lifter rises, itstrikes the bottom of the central rod 1%, thereby lifting the sidewedges, and then the trip projections striking against the projectingedges 19 19 of the central wedge cause the side wedges to fall inward.When the lifter strikes the bottom of the hollow spindle, the wholeapparatus lifts together.

Fig. 19 shows a form of split head, made in halves, as applied to a topdie and operated by the end (1 of the central rod 01 and inclined slots3, as described with reference to Fig. 2. Z0 is a nut screwing into thesleeve h, with brackets formed thereon, to which the two halves of thesplit head are suspended by means of pins 2.

Fig. 20 is a form of split head, made in halves, as applied to a bottomdie; but in this case the sides are showntapered to form a clearancefrom the undercut.

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the head, show- -u ndercu tters.

ing the cavity for receiving the flattened end of the central roll.

The lifting of the die is effected by means of a hollow spindle withdivided ends, as shown in Fig. 14. The central rod lifts with the headuntil clearance is eifected by the die lifting above the top of thetile-box. The rest of the figures is obvious.

Fig. 22 to 24 exhibit an alternative form of my apparatus, in which theundercutters are moved to and held in their forward position by thethrust of the spiral springs and are made to clear the undercut by thedirect action of the litter of the bottom of the central rod. Fig. 22shows the central rod as lifted. 24is the pear-shaped head of thecentral rod. 25 25 are undercutters whose lower limbs are adapted tothis particular form of central rod end. 26 26 are projections formedsolid with the rest of the undercutter. 36 36 are steadying-pius passingthrough the head from side to side. The descent of the central rod underthe action of the spiral spring will throw the undercutting-teeth intotheir forward or cutting positions. The rest of the figures is obvious.

In Fig. 32 thehead is mounted on a hollow spindle and operated by acentral rod and spiral spring, as in Fig. 22. The top plate 2 is formedwith a central portion 2, fitted into the surrounding part 2. 36 36 aresteadyingpins with screwed ferrule ends, upon which the cutters aremounted. I0 is the shaped end of the central rod, made wedge-shaped,with projecting horns provided with openings 41 41 for receiving thetail ends of the t The rest of the figure is obvlous.

Fig. 25 is a bottom die screwed onto a lifting-spindle of ordinary formand in which two operating-rods (here called push'pieces) are used,placed at the sides.

Figs. 25, 26, and 27 are details of Fig. 25.

.2 is a top plate secured by flush-headed screw to the top of the block28, screwed onto a spindle 29 of the ordinary type. 30 30 are thepartially-re'volving undercutters, levers in eiicct though not in shape,with the long ends projecting outward and tailed so as to work looselyinto suitable holes in the push-pieces 31 31, sliding loosely in therecesses 32 32, formed in the block 28, each fitted with a foot orflange 31 to receive the thrust of the spiral springs 33 33 on thedescent of the head onto the pressing-table. 34 3 are buttress-piecesconstructed solid with or screwed to the block 28. 36 36 aresteadying-pins with ferrule ends, as shown in Fig. 24. The peculiar formof undercutter or rocking lever in this case is designed to prevent thepassage of material beneath the top plate when the cutting-tooth ispulled backward by the descent of the push-piece on the lifting of thehead. The push-pieces may be of any desired form instead of that hereinand in my drawings described, and pullingsprings may be used instead ofpushingwith, is illustrated in Fig. 37, wherein Iuse a head constructedas in the last case, (in fact, I have used the same head for bothexperiments;) but I use a rocking lever with long end projectingdownward instead of outward, and I dispense with the lnlttress-pieccs,the springs, and the pushpieces. Adjustable linger-wedges 46 and slotsin the tile-box T are made to serve the purpose of a central rod and inwhich all springs are dispensed with. 37 37 are undercutters similar inshape and mounted in like manner as in Fig. 25. The flattened barportions 46 46 of the fingerwedges pass through slots cut through thesides of the tile-box and are themselves provided with slottedbolt-holes, whereby they may be adjustably secured to the pressingtableoutside the tile-box by bolts or screws, as shown. The rest of thefigure is obvious. The finger-wedges also serve to regulate the extentof the undercut.

A further method which I designed in order to dispense with cutting thetile-box is illustrated in Fig. 28, which represents a form of headscrewed onto a spindle of the ordinary type. Figs. 29, 30, and 31 arerespectively (let-ails thereof. 29 is the liftingspindle. 36 36 aresteadying-pins, as in Fig. 24. 37 37 are undercutters mounted thereon,with their tail ends projecting downward instead of outward. 38 is abase-plate placed between the tile-box and the table-top. 39 39 arevertical standards cast solid therewith and formed with an inclined slotor pathway to receive and act as guides and operate the undercutters asthe block lifts or lowers. 'lhe undercutters oscillate in bearings andare supported on pins with ferrule ends, as shown in Fig. 24. The restof the figure is obvious.

In Figs. 40 and ll I show alternative forms of check-spring shown asapplied to a head or die made in halves and attached to the plunger inthe form shown in Fig. 2. The letters 0t, 1), A, It, and' Z and thenumeral 6 refer to the like parts as so marked in Fig. 2, except thatthe pins 6 6 are here shown as secured by circular nuts.

In Fig. 40, 52 52 are brackets bolted, as shown, to the guide-bar ot'the press. 53 53 are sliding bolts with suitably-shaped heads (shownhemispherical) and kept pressed against the head by spiral springs 54 54and prevented from pushing out by pins and wash ers 55 55.

In Fig. all a like form of head and plunger are used with a differentform of springs. 52 52 are brackets bolted to the guide-bar as before,but differing slightly in form. 56 56 are swinging arms suspended fromthe brackets and operating on pins 57 57, fixed on the IIO head andfitted with washers for retaining the swinging bars in proper engagementwith the pins 57. The swinging arms are connected one to the other andgoverned by a spiral spring 58 on two opposite sides of the head or die.I do not, however, confine myself to the particular form of check-springshown in these figures.

I do not confine myself to the several forms of head or die hereinbeforedescribed, for many forms may be used; but whatever form I may prefer touse I do notconfine myself to any particular shape or number ofundercuts, though I generally prefer two or four parallel with the edgeof the tile. I provide for the escape of material pressed in past theundercutters; but the escape-holes are not shown in all cases. Theyappear at 11 in Fig. 5 and are shown as inclined passages in Figs. 25,28, and 37.

What I claim is 1. In apparatus for forming undercuts on tiles and thelike, the combination of a hollow plunger having a shoulder or abutmentthereon, a spindle within said hollow plunger having a shoulder orcollar thereon, the said spindle projecting beyond said hollow plungerand adapted to be engaged by a reciprocating part, undercuttingmechanism operated by said spindle, and a spring interposed between saidspindle and said hollow plunger and engaging the shoulders on theseparts,

substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for pressing and forming undercuts upon tiles and thelike, the combination with a plunger and a head or die secured theretoand having lateral projections provided with a shoulder adapted toengage the shoulder on the reciprocating part, a spindle within saidsliding member one of its ends being adapted to be engaged by saidreciprocating part, undercutting mechanism operated by said spindle anda spring interposed between and acting upon said spindle and saidsliding member, substantially as described.

4. In apparatus for forming undercuts on tiles and like articles, thecombination with a reciprocating part having a cavity therein and aninternal shoulder, of a hollow sliding member, fitting and moving withinsaid cavity and having an external shoulder to engage the internalshoulder in the reciprocating part, a rod or spindle fitted in a centralopening in the sliding member, and 6Xl36DCling through the same to beengaged by the reciprocating part, a collar on said spindle to engage aninternal shoulder on said sliding member, undercutters operated by saidspindle and a spring surrounding the latter and engaging the slidingmember at one end and the shoulder on spindle at the other end,substantially as described.

5. In apparatus for forming undercuts on tiles and the like, thecombination with a reciprocating part connected to a pressingscrewformed with a cavity having an internal shoulder, of an inner hollowslide, a collar on said slide to engage said internal shoulder,undercutters mounted in a head secured to the lower end of said innerhollow slide, a spindle to actuate said undercutters, fitting in theslide extending through an opening in the upper end thereof and adaptedto be engaged by said reciprocating part, a collar on said spindle and aspring surrounding the latter one end engaging the inner collar on thesliding member and the other end engaging the collar on the spindle,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

THOMAS DALTON.

Witnesses:

HERBERT L. P. LONDON, HERBERT DUFFIELD.

